July launch set for Ozzfest 2002
Ozzy Osbourne is heading out this summer atop the roster of his annual Ozzfest tour. Contrary to an initial tour announcement, the outing will not feature the band comprising former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and the three remaining members of Rage Against the Machine.
Ozzy Osbourne is heading out this summer atop the roster of his annual Ozzfest tour. Contrary to an initial tour announcement, the outing will not feature the band comprising former Soundgarden singer Chris Cornell and the three remaining members of Rage Against the Machine.
On March 21, Osbourne and family held a press conference at New York City’s WWF New York restaurant, during which the initial Ozzfest lineup was announced. That lineup included the unnamed band formed last year by Cornell and Rage Against the Machine members Tom Morello (guitar), Tom Commerford (bass) and Brad Wilk (drums). News surfaced days later that Cornell had [L=/news/story.php?id=68]quit the group[EL].
Acts still on the bill include System of a Down, P.O.D., Drowning Pool, Adema and Osbourne guitarst Zakk Wylde’s side project, Black Label Society.
Rob Zombie, who toured in the opening slot on Osbourne’s late-2001 outing, will headline Ozzfest’s second stage, where he will be playing a “stripped down, bare bones ‘jeans and t-shirt’ set,” according to organizers. The second stage will also feature Meshuggah, Apex Theory, Lost Prophets, Pulse Ultra and Neurotica.
Fellow rockers Flaw, Mushroomhead, 3rd Strike, Otep, Seether, Used Glassjaw, Ill Niņo and Chevelle will each appear on the second stage at half of the Ozzfest stops, according to a press release, though specific details regarding which half of the tour each group will play have not yet been announced.
Ozzy’s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, announced at the March 21st press conference that the World Wrestling Federation is the main sponsor of Ozzfest 2002. This alliance will see WWF wrestling stars introducing bands and signing autographs at all Ozzfest stops.
In addition to its music stages and appearances by WWF stars, Ozzfest will again feature a carnival-like concourse. Dubbed the Village of the Damned, the concourse will include piercing booths, tattoo parlors and “breast painting,” according to a press release, as well as other attractions.
Though specific production details are being kept “top secret,” organizers said in a press release that Ozzy’s stage set will be “his biggest production ever.”
In addition to longtime guitarist Wylde, Osbourne’s band also includes former Suicidal Tendencies bassist Robert Trujillo and former Faith No More drummer Mike Bordin. The same lineup is featured on last October’s “Down to Earth,” Osbourne’s first new solo album since 1995.
Osbourne has been generating quite a buzz as of late for his role in “The Osbournes,” MTV’s real-life, weekly sitcom/documentary comprising candid footage of Osbourne and his family. The series has become one of television’s top-rated shows.
More information on Ozzfest’s 32-date run through North America can be found at the tour’s official [L=http://www.ozzfest.com]website[EL].
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